Ecthyma

Ecthyma is characterized by lesions on the skin that usually ripe and discharge pus as well as cause severe inflammation. Ecthyma is often confused as impetigo which is a communicable skin infection mostly found in children and occurs in the form of blebs that crusts and deteriorates. On the other hand, ecthyma penetrates into the deeper vascular inner layer of the skin. In fact, when impetigo is not treated and ulcerates, an individual is affected with ecthyma. Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci is the major reason for the occurrence of this type of complication. Ecthyma can target both males and females of any age-group and is not related to any particular race of geographical area. However, like impetigo, children are more prone to get affected by this complication. In addition, the people suffering from diabetes as well as ailing elders are also likely to have ecthyma.

Ecthyma was more predominant during the period of war in the hot and humid areas. Initially, this disease commences on the surface of the skin in the form of impetigo and gradually the streptococci cause secondary infection in the already affected areas, especially the parts which are frequently scratched and itched. The people suffering from dermatitis are also likely to get affected by impetigo and thereafter by ecthyma.

Although the vesicles appeared on the skin due to ecthyma neither affects the entire system nor cause any short time presence of bacteria in the blood but they are really very uncomfortable and may lead to never-ending abnormal enlargement of the lymph nodes. An individual affected by ecthyma can also have secondary infection that results into severe inflammation of the tissues of the body in the dermis region followed by acute fever and painful swelling. In some cases of ecthyma, scars also tend to appear in the affected areas.

So far, the exact causes of ecthyma is yet to be discovered but usually it is considered that already injured tissues, weaker immune system, unhygienic condition and hot and humid condition can be some significant factors that cause this complication. To diagnose the disease, the doctor will conduct different types of tests that will detect the presence of streptococci and the severity of ecthyma.

The milder complication is generally treated by application of ointments topically on the affected areas to sooth the lesions. On the other hand, the aggressive form of ecthyma requires oral treatment method under which an individual has to take a course of antibiotics for a certain period.

During Ecthyma Treatment process, the affected person should live in complete hygienic condition by regularly cleaning the lesions with germicidal soaps as well as keeping all his/her personal belongings like bed sheets, towel, clothes and other items properly washed. More importantly, an affected person should have tremendous patience because the disease takes adequate time to heal completely. In case, there is any secondary infection, the doctor will also start additional medication to cure it. The advanced cases of ecthyma usually leave scars on the affected areas that disappear after a certain period by regularly applying some specific creams on it.

Since the complication is contagious, it is advisable to not share your towels, bed sheets and other personal belongings if you are affected by ecthyma. Also, take some preventive measures to check further diffusion of the disease like placing cloth pads dampened in the lukewarm water containing white vinegar on the lesions for 10-15 minutes a couple of times a day. This will give soothing affect to the lesions. In addition, to prevent mosquito and insect bites on the lesions, you can use some specific chemical substances which are effective repellants.